Canary Islands Ferry Regulation Update

Overview

The Spanish Canary Islands government has finalized a new regulation requiring ferry companies to submit a summary report for passenger vehicles entering or leaving the islands.

Starting September 2025, shipping companies must file a digital declaration within three days of vehicle embarkation or disembarkation, detailing passenger and vehicle information.

This move aims to:

• Improve customs control and oversight of vehicle transit.
• Support regional economic and geographic specificity.

Key Features

• Emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and legal clarity.
• Regulation aligns with broader regulatory principles.
• Ferry operators will fill out a standardized electronic form, available via the Canary Islands tax agency.
• Data import via CSV files.
• Authorities will oversee compliance through:
  • The regional tax administrations of Las Palmas
  • Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Benefits and Goals

• Clearer, more streamlined processes for residents and visitors when transporting vehicles by ferry.
• Enhanced customs oversight to:
  • Prevent illegal activities
  • Ensure smooth transit across the islands and beyond.
• Reflects ongoing efforts to adapt tax and transport rules to the region's specific needs amidst increasing cross-island movement and international connections.